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Becoming a new mother is a joyous time for the mum, the family and their friends – with the sole focus of all this doe-eyed adoration being on the new arrival. Within weeks the precious bundle of joy will be showered with an array of beautiful gifts from toys to teddies, cots to clothes and books to blankets: but what about the new Mum gifts? So often a new Mum will be inundated with baby gifts without anything for themselves. Of course, it’s just as important to congratulate your friend, wife or girlfriend with something special just for them, but what gifts do new mums really want?

Mum-to-be is often overlooked as so much is bought and gifted for the Baby-to-be.
Maybe you just found out your partner’s pregnant – what do you buy her?

Don’t worry! Let us help with this quick guide to the 5 best gift ideas for a mum-to-be, to suit budgets from £10 to £150.

Let's hear it for the dads, the daddys, the papas, the dadas, the abbus and the step dads. Sometimes grumpy, often busy, but always ready for a cuddle. All dads are softies at heart and deserve to be spoilt on Father's Day. If you have little ones at home and you are looking for ways to keep them busy (particularly hard at the moment) then we have included some ideas below for easy to make, homemade Father's Day cards. Using baby's hand prints or footprints you can make a really cute keepsake Father's Day card that dad will treasure forever.

And if you are looking for something to make Father's Day really special then take a look at our luxury food hampers. Packed full of a range of goodies including tea, coffee, chocolates and biscuits, these hampers are guaranteed to make dads day. Beautifully packaged with a gift card bearing your message our hampers are available for next day delivery. 

 https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/fathers-day/g4381/free-fathers-day-cards/

 

Here if you need us.

These are strange and difficult times for lots of people. We know that many of you are missing out on some very special family occasions and we are seeing first hand how hard self isolation is for lots of you. Because each one of our gifts can be sent with your own, personal gift message we have a unique window into your life and we feel truly privileged to play a part in helping you to send a gift to your loved ones. We know that Grandma can’t be there to cuddle her new granddaughter, or that Grandad is missing out on that first birthday party. We understand that your pregnant friend is having a tough time on her own, or that you just want to send a bear hug to somebody special. We promise that we will send your chosen gift, beautifully packaged, straight to their door. We know it’s not as good as hugging them in person, but hopefully it’s the next best thing.

Sending thanks to all the amazing key workers.

As a small, family run business we are lucky because our founder and CEO, Lisa and her family live next to Babyblooms HQ. The whole Babyblooms team have been working their socks off to make sure that we can carry on sending out gifts for as long as possible. Of course, our service would not be possible without all the key workers keeping the country going, we think they are all amazing.

So, Babyblooms is here if you need us – ready to send your love, perfectly packaged, when you can’t be there in person.

Thank you for letting us be a part of your story.

The Babyblooms team

The birth of a newborn baby is a very special occasion and we know that you want to send your love as quickly as possible. Here at Babyblooms we have lots of newborn baby gift ideas and we can help you send your love by next day delivery!

If you are not able to deliver your new baby gift in person then we have the next best thing. We have a gorgeous range of newborn baby gifts, all carefully chosen to be both beautiful and practical for a new mum and baby. If you are looking for a little something for baby or a luxury hamper to really impress, we have a gift solution for every budget.

So, when you have chosen your gift we will add some magic for you. As you can't be there to hand the gift over yourself we will make sure your gift looks absolutely gorgeous. Our exclusive, illustrated gift boxes really do have a wow factor and are guaranteed to make a new mum feel really special. You can send a personal message with our illustrated gift card and we can even personalise your gift if you know the little ones name.

So, if you are excited about the birth of a baby but cannot take a gift in person we can offer the next best thing. Send a Babyblooms gift next day delivery and be the first to send your love to a new mum and baby.

Are you expecting a baby in 2020? We look at the top predicted baby names for the new decade.

It is commonly believed that baby names come back into fashion every 100 years, so what does this mean for new baby names in a new decade? Could we see the most popular baby names in 2020 taking inspiration from the 1920s?

According to the Office of National Statistics, these were the most popular baby names in the 1920s:

1. John
2. William
3. George
4. James
5. Thomas
6. Ronald
7. Kenneth
8. Robert
9. Arthur
10. Frederick

1. Margaret
2. Mary
3. Joan
4. Joyce
5. Dorothy
6. Kathleen
7. Doris
8. Irene
9. Elizabeth
10. Eileen

So will we see lots of little Johns and Margarets in the playground in the next few years? Maybe. But looking at the general trends, boys names seem to be less led by fashion. Five of the top ten boys names from the 1920s can be found in the top 25 of popular names from 2019, George, Arthur, James, William and Freddie have remained popular in the last 100 years whereas only Elizabeth can be found in the top 100 of popular girls names from 2019.

So what else might influence new baby names in 2020? It seems certain that William and Kate's third child will have some influence, with Louis and Louie rising up the list, with Archie sure to follow. Celebrity names will always affect the list with Ezra, Roman and Idris gaining popularity. According to the Bounty website, there is also a new trend for surnames used as first names, with Grayson and Oakley moving up the charts.

Interestingly Bounty also predict that Dorothy may become more popular, moving up 40 places, but still not making it into the top 200 names. Softer sounding names have become more popular, such as Rosie or Willow, as well as names representing softer colours, such as Lavender, Ivory and Sage. Finally, celebrities and others hitting the media spotlight will always influence new baby girl names, such as Greta (after Greta Thunberg) and Penelope (Khourtney Kardashian's daughter).

Here at Babyblooms HQ we love to see all the different new baby names that our customers ask to be added to their personalised new baby gift. Whether it's a blanket, teddy bear, bathrobe or towel, we help you to create a thoughtful and unique new baby gift.

Christmas with a new baby is such a magical time. Creating new family traditions really brings the season to life and gives it new meaning. So, what are our top tips for creating a magical first Christmas with a new baby?

Top tips to create a magical first Christmas with a new baby:

Firstly, don’t expect too much from baby! If they are tiny, they will (hopefully) sleep through some of the day to give you some well-earned rest. They will probably enjoy looking at the Christmas tree lights and maybe playing with wrapping paper but they won’t get all that excited about the idea of Christmas just yet. That doesn’t mean that you can’t have lots of fun planning some new family traditions 😊

First stop is a Christmas stocking. Nothing is more exciting than hanging a stocking on Christmas Eve ready for Santa’s visit and at Babyblooms we have some personalised luxury velvet stockings that will look fabulous year after year. Of course, Santa works hard delivering gifts to all the children of the world and he deserves a little treat when he visits your house. Our personalised Christmas Eve plate even has space for a carrot for the reindeer and is sure to become a special part of Christmas Eve night. A personalised Christmas Eve box is a lovely way to start the magic of Christmas Eve and a personalised Christmas Eve story is a lovely way to wind down on Christmas Eve night.

So, once you have got Christmas Eve sorted you can think about the tree. It is such a lovely idea to put a keepsake “Baby’s First Christmas” bauble on the tree and Babyblooms have some beautifully illustrated, personalised baubles that will become a treasured keepsake for years to come. Baby will also need an outfit for Christmas Day and we have some cute Christmas bib and t-shirt combos that can also be personalised.

Finally, Christmas can be a good time to stock up on some essentials. A new baby isn’t going to mind what you buy them so why not take the opportunity to stock up on some essentials? A super soft blanket or cosy bathrobe and hooded towel will be used all year round and makes a practical and thoughtful gift for baby’s first Christmas.

When it comes to bathing your baby, it can be a nerve-wracking experience for new parents during the first few weeks or even months, but in time, it’s sure to become an integral part of your child’s bedtime routine - and hopefully a pleasure rather than a chore.

However, if you are filled with fear at the mere thought of baby bathtime, don’t fret. In today’s post, the bathroom specialists from Jaquar will be sharing some helpful hints on how to prepare your bathroom for a safe and fun bathtime experience with little ones - leaving you with peace of mind when the time comes.

Clear the decks

One of the best ways to prep your bathroom ahead of your new arrival is to ensure it’s as clutter free as possible. Take the time to clear out anything in your bathroom that you don’t use or bulky non-essential items that are taking up vital floor or wall space.

This should clear the decks for any additional space needed to accommodate the reams of baby paraphernalia that inevitably come with a newborn baby - ensuring every nappy, cream and whatever else has a rightful home that’s close to hand.

From a safety perspective, decluttering your bathroom is an important step to take to ensure there’s a clear and unobstructed walkway through the room. The last thing any new parent wants is to trip while carrying such precious cargo.

Get savvy with storage

With this in mind, let’s talk about storage. To maintain a clutter-free bathroom, where possible make use of wall space - favouring mounted cupboards and shelves if you need extra surfaces for storing things.

Another handy addition to baby-friendly bathrooms would be to opt for multifunctional storage like an ottoman positioned next to the bath - it offers a perfect place to neatly stow away bath linen and a seat during bathtime.

Ample bathroom storage also helps you stay organised, so when it comes to bathing your baby you don’t have to spend valuable time searching for specific items - a lifesaver for new parents who will most likely be sleep deprived. We’d recommend taking this one step further, having a dedicated baby bathtime storage spot close to the bath where you can store soft bath towels, flannels, shampoos, toys and any other essentials within reaching distance.

Baby-proof the room

Naturally, your newborn isn’t going to be crawling or walking around the bathroom for some time, but even so, it’s a good idea to start as you mean to go on by baby-proofing the room as much as possible in advance.

Start by keeping cleaning products and toiletries locked away or certainly out of reach from curious little hands and also consider child-proofing your taps and toilet (yes, this pool of water can be an alluring wonder for tiny toddlers) by installing suitable tap straps or locks to stop tiny tots from tampering with them.

With hot bath water burns accounting for the highest number of fatal and severe burn incidents in the UK, it’s essential to always test the water temperature before placing your baby in the bath. However, a further safety measure is to lower the temperature on your water heating system to below 50°C to prevent scalding if they do manage to turn on the hot tap while your back is turned.

Prepare your tub

Babies can be wriggly little things at the best of times, but even more so when wet. This is especially true during their first few baths, where being in the water is a new concept and could be an alarming experience rather than a relaxing one.

To help keep babies safe during bathing, many parents opt to use a smaller baby bath within their existing tub for ease or invest in baby bath seats which will help to keep them secure and upright in the water. If you prefer to go with the big tub, installing anti-slip stickers or matts to the base of the bath will help to provide more grip when they’re in the bath.

Prime your space for pampering

Bathtime often forms the basis of a regular routine for babies and toddlers, so it’s important to make it feel like a special part of the day when you and your baby can spend some quality time together.

With this in mind, treat your little one to some luxurious bathtime essentials for them to enjoy. A soft personalised baby towel and robe could be the perfect way to end a fun bathtime and ensure they’re well wrapped up and snug before putting on their nightwear. You can also lather their delicate skin with our moisture-rich baby skincare products to keep their skin soft and well-nourished.

But, don’t forget yourself in this pampering equation either, as it’s just as important for parents to relax and replenish too, so ensure your bathroom essentials also include some indulgent bathing products for yourself.

Bathing your baby can form a special bond between the two of you and we hope this post will provide you with plenty of helpful hints on how to get your bathroom fully prepared for all the fun-filled and happy baby bathtimes to come.

We know that you want to send a beautiful new baby gift, but it can be tricky to know what to get. Do you go for something practical that you know they will use, but that might not have that “wow” factor or do you go for something attractive that may not be useful?

This is often an issue when sending fresh flowers to celebrate the birth of a baby, they look and smell lovely for a couple of days, but then end up on the compost heap.

Here at Babyblooms we have the perfect solution. Our baby clothes bouquets are both beautiful and practical. 100% cotton baby clothes are cleverly rolled into cute little roses and beautifully presented as a gorgeous bouquet. Silk flowers and velvet leaves are added to the bouquet to provide a lasting keepsake for the new parents. Our baby clothes bouquets come perfectly packaged in a beautiful gift box with a gift card bearing your message and are available for next day delivery.

We also know that budgets for baby gifts can vary, whether you are looking for a little something for a friend or a maternity gift from the whole office. Our cute little Baby Bud Posy comes in at £25 or if you have a little bit more cash to splash our popular Hand-Tied Bouquet is £50. For something even more special our Luxury Rose Bouquet is £75. A wide selection of our award-winning baby hampers contain our baby clothes bouquets and we also combine our bouquets with our super soft blankets or our cute and cuddly soft toys to give you an option to personalise your gift. 

So, if you are looking for something that little bit different to celebrate the birth of a new baby girl or boy, take a look at our beautiful baby clothes bouquets - guaranteed to make a new mum feel special!

The most popular baby names for 2018 - revealed!

The most popular baby names from 2018 have finally been officially revealed by the Office of National Statistics. Olivia and Oliver are up there again in the number one spot for both boys and girls. See the top five names for boys and girls below:

1. Oliver

2. George

3. Harry

4. Noah

5. Jack

 

1. Olivia

2. Amelia

3. Ava

4. Isla

5. Emily

Take a look at the Office of National Statistics website to see how popular your favourite baby names are.

How have the top baby names changed over the years?

Oliver has been the most popular name for six years now and Olivia has had the top slot for three. The top ten for both boys and girls remained fairly stable over the last few years. There was only one change this year for the boys with Arthur replacing Jacob and two changes for the girls, with Sophia and Grace replacing Poppy and Lily.

We seem to be getting more adventurous in our choice of names for new babies.

Less than half (45%) of babies born in the UK in 2018 were given names from the list of the top 100 most popular baby names, whereas in 1996 two thirds (67%) were given names within the top 100. This means we are becoming more diverse in our choice of names, moving from the traditional to a more individual choice. Younger mums were even more likely to chose less traditional names for their new babies, with mums under the age of 25 being more likely to pick names such as Hunter, Logan and Harper. These younger mums are also more likely to pick abbreviated versions of names and names that include a hyphen. Mums over the age of 35 are more likely to pick the full version of more traditional names such as Alexander and William and no hyphenated names appeared in the top 200 for this older group of mums.

What influences our choice of names for new babies?

There are many factors that can influence our choice of names. Often we will name our babies after a family member but we can also be influenced by fashion and celebrity culture. Names that were popular mid century such as Keith, Roger and Barry or Jean, Susan and Janet have fallen out of favour today and we seem to prefer turn of the century names such as Oliver, Jack, Ivy and Florence. Celebrities can also have an impact on the popularity of a name, David and Victoria Beckham's little girl Harper has inspired lots of other little Harpers and the name has risen 831 places to reach 27th place in 2018. The name Alexa has become significantly less popular, halving in popularity from 2017 - 2018. It's a tricky name to use now that calling for your child will activate your Amazon device! 

 

It can be hard to find ways to entertain small children on a rainy summer's day, especially if you also have a new baby at home. So we have put together our favourite easy recipes to make with kids. Posh food this is not - but these recipes are simple enough for even the littlest of hands to have a go. We know that you don't want to spend two minutes cooking and three hours cleaning the kitchen (we've all been there) so hopefully these recipes won't make an big mess, but will keep the kids entertained for a while and will also encourage them to eat their dinner.

Our Christening Top Tips

With the latest Royal Christening due to take place on the 6^th July at St George’s chapel in Windsor, we are sure that Meghan and Harry have had lots of help in organising little Archie’s big day! If you are not lucky enough to have royal connections and you are wondering whether a Christening is a good idea for your little one, we have a list of top tips to think about when planning a Christening.

The traditional route

If you would like your child to be brought up as a Christian and you have a strong Christian faith, then a traditional Christening is a wonderful way to begin this journey. A more relaxed church and clergy will also welcome you into the church and the community even if you are not regular churchgoers but would like to celebrate the new addition to your family with your church and community. Our top tip is to suss out your local vicar to see what he or she will go for in their church, maybe ask friends who have gone down this route for some advice.

Maybe consider a blessing?

A top tip if you're not sure about a full Christening service but would still like a church based celebration, is to consider a church blessing or thanksgiving service. These are ideal if you would like your child to be welcomed into the Christian church without the full commitment of a baptism service. Your best bet is to have a chat to your local vicar or minister and they will be able to tell you what they are willing to do in their church. Some may even allow to you to have an input in the wording used or allow you to choose whether the service is part of a main church service or a separate event.

Think about a secular naming day celebration

If you have no religious beliefs and would prefer a secular celebration then there are some lovely options to choose from. You can book a naming ceremony at your local registry office, or, as with weddings, lots of venues can hold a naming ceremony for you. You could arrange for a celebrant from the British Humanist Association to led the ceremony or you could lead it yourself at home. You can play music, read poems and celebrate your child with family and friends. Instead of godparents you can choose supporting adults or mentors to love and support your child as they grow.

Choosing Godparents

Choosing godparents or supporting adults for your child can be a wonderful gift for them as they grow and develop. Asking close friends or family to play an important role in your little person's life, lending them an ear or offering advice as they grow up, is a lovely thing to do. Choose people who you think will still be in your life in twenty years and more, someone who will offer a different perspective from you but who you can trust to love and protect your child if needed. It is traditional for girls to have two godmothers and one godfather and boys to have two godfathers and one godmother, although it is entirely up to you how many you choose.

What should baby wear?

Whichever way you decide to celebrate you will want to make sure that baby looks extra cute on their special day. Whether you have a family Christening robe handed down from generation to generation or you go shopping for a special outfit, remember that baby will more than likely have to eat at some point during the day, so it might be worth considering a couple of special bibs and muslins to protect their outfit until the photos have been taken! Also, churches can be cold so make sure you have a blanket in case baby gets cold. Finally, make sure you have something to occupy older children and siblings during the ceremony so you can enjoy at least some of the day without distractions.

Bringing family and friends together to celebrate the new addition to your family is a wonderful way to create some special memories for you all. Today we have so many options available to us that we can mix and match and choose a celebration that really suits our lives and beliefs. Our final and most important top tip is to make sure that you enjoy the day as a family, eat cake, drink tea (or wine if you prefer!) talk, laugh and relish spending time with special friends and family.

So, why does a new baby hamper make the perfect new baby gift?

It can be hard to think of a great gift for a new mum and baby. You don't want to get something they may already have but you want to get them something they will love. Ideally you want to find something memorable and unique that is both practical and beautiful. Sounds like a tall order? This is why a new baby hamper  makes the perfect new baby gift.

New baby gift hampers contain a selection of gifts for both a new mum and baby. Ranging from skincare to baby clothes to treats for mum, they come perfectly packaged in a box or basket that can be re-used as nursery storage. Here at Babyblooms our new baby gift hampers range in price from £50 to £250 so there is something to suit every budget.

Best Maternity Leave Gift

Finding the perfect new baby gift for a maternity leave present can be daunting. If colleagues club together to buy a gift for a friend then the budget can be substantial. This is when a baby hamper makes the perfect new baby gift. Containing a selection of products carefully chosen for a new mum and baby, a luxury baby hamper will come beautifully presented - ideal for presenting to the expectant mum to wish her well.

Here at Babyblooms we have a lovely selection of new baby hampers and baskets. From pink to blue to neutral colours we can add baby's name to the hamper if required to create a personalised gift. Our best selling hamper is our Little Pink Bunny Welcome Baby Hamper. This hamper contains a selection of our all-natural skincare, a baby clothes bouquet and a cute little bunny, all packaged in one of our gorgeous illustrated gift boxes and available for next day delivery - perfect. Our larger hampers are fabulous for those with a larger budget. Our My First Years hamper contains enough fabulous goodies to take mum and baby right through their first year. Take a look at our lovely range of new baby hampers and find the one that will make your perfect new baby gift.

At the time of writing we are at the start of some warmer weather and love it or hate it, the hot weather can be tricky with a new baby around. There is some great general advice out there around safer sleeping with your baby and this link (https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/) is a great place to start, but as always, if you are worried about your baby give your GP or health visitor a call. In the meantime, we have put together our top tips - on how to keep your baby cool in hot weather.

Check the temperature in baby's room

Dig out a room thermometer, then take a look at the chart below for some guidance on how to dress baby at bedtime in the heat. This is handy information but you know your baby best so this is intended as a guide. Usually baby's room will cool down as evening turns into night so it might be worth checking the temperature again before you go to bed. It is best to check baby's temperature by gently touching the back of their neck or their tummy, it is normal for a baby's hands and feet to feel cool to the touch but this doesn't always give you an accurate indication of how warm they actually are.

Just whilst the weather is particularly warm it is worth removing any waterproof mattress cover as the plastic retains heat and can cause baby to sweat.

Cool down baby and nursery

Create as much of a breeze as possible, open the windows but draw the curtains two thirds of the way across to keep out the sun. Open a loft hatch if you have one and some of the hot air should escape upwards.

At bedtime, a quick, tepid bath before bed should cool baby down and placing some large (one litre or more) frozen bottles of water in baby's room overnight will cool the room as it melts. If you have a fan in the room, placing the bottles (or a large bowl of ice) in front of the fan will cool the air.

Tips for cooling baby in the daytime

In the daytime it is best to dress baby in loose cotton clothing with a wide brimmed hat and any baby under 6 months old should be kept out of the sun as their delicate skin has less melanin than older children and so they will sunburn much more easily. As very young babies do not perspire effectively they can overheat very quickly so care should be taken not to leave them for too long in a very hot room or car.

If it is very warm and humid and baby gets a bit sweaty they may develop a little bit of heat rash, which looks like tiny red bumps around the neck, groin, back of the knees or crease of the elbow. If you cool baby down and remove any tight clothing this should just disappear by itself, but again if you are concerned give your GP or health visitor a call and they can give you more tips on how to keep baby cool in hot weather.

Watch out for dehydration

Dehydration can be an issue for little babies in the heat and it is worth keeping a check on how many wet nappies your baby has. A breastfed baby does not need additional water, but will probably need to feed more often, so make sure mum gets lots of cool drinks. A bottle- fed baby can have cooled, boiled water throughout the day and night in addition to their normal feeds. Again, if you think your little baby might be dehydrated, have a chat with your doctor.

We here at Babyblooms HQ hope these tips help baby (and you!) get a bit more sleep during those long, hot summer nights and show you how to keep your baby cool in hot weather. Stop by again soon for more baby life hacks and new baby gift ideas.

 

Baby Bedtime Nursery Temperature Guide. 

Why is a personalised hooded towel a perfect new baby gift?

There is so much choice when it comes to buying a gift for a new baby it can be hard to know where to start. Tiny clothes look really cute but babies grow so quickly that they don't always get the wear they deserve. If you are looking for a thoughtful, practical gift for a new baby then a personalised hooded towel is a great option.

Hooded towels are so useful for little ones. Not only do they make bath time warm and snuggly, they are ideal for putting on straight after swimming when baby can get chilly. A hooded towel is also perfect for playing on the beach or in the paddling pool. At Babyblooms our towels are made from the softest toweling material. The hood keeps little heads warm and the towels are big enough to wrap round and round for lots of cosy cuddles. Our hooded towels also loved by wiggly toddlers, who can wrap themselves up and stay warm after the bath or swimming pool.

So, a hooded towel is an essential item for a new mum and will certainly get lots of use - but how do you make it a special enough to give as a gift? Here at Babyblooms we have the answer! We would be delighted to personalise your hooded towel for you with the new baby's name using our luxurious embroidery process. This makes the towel very special for the new mum and creates a thoughtful and unique gift. It also makes sure that baby uses his or her own towel which is recommended by health professionals for hygiene reasons. They have their own hooded towel for home or out and about at a paddling pool or swimming pool so they will never get mixed up with anyone else's or lost for any reason.

We also pride ourselves on our packaging and so we will make sure that your gift is beautifully gift wrapped in one of our exclusive illustrated gift boxes with a gift card bearing your message. And as we can embroider your towel ourselves at Babyblooms HQ we can send your gift out for next day delivery.

We also have some gorgeous gift hampers that include our personalised hooded towels. Take a look at our Cosy Cuddles Gift Set or our Personalised Three Little Bunny Luxury New Baby Hamper for some more gorgeous new baby gift ideas.